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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 you go to a comedy club, you know what you’re there for. But what happens when comedy shows up somewhere else? 

Meredith Dietz describes doing stand-up in a New York City office where employees were told not to laugh, and on a Staten Island Ferry where no one could escape the ride. 

Years after his own incarceration, Ali Siddiq returns to jail to speak with people inside. 

And Pauline Schantzer, aka Polly Wolly, brings suggestive parody songs, dance moves, and deeply silly comedy into nursing homes. 

 

Suggested episodes:
Why the world needs comedians with disabilities
The meteoric rise of comedian Zarna Garg
Actors Mary Elizabeth Kelly and Dean Edwards on the art of impressions 
Why the warm-up comic is the most underrated job in show biz 
D’yan Forest is a 91-year-old Guinness World Record holder for oldest female comedian 

 

GUESTS: 
Pauline Schantzer, aka Polly Wolly: Comedian and performer who brings musical comedy into nursing homes and senior-care spaces
Meredith Dietz: Writer and stand-up comedian who has performed in comedy clubs, offices, and on the Staten Island Ferry
Ali Siddiq: Comedian, writer, and actor whose work often draws from his own experience of incarceration. He filmed It’s Bigger Than These Bars inside Bell County Jail in 2017, and his 2026 special From Inside is a serious conversation recorded inside a detention center 

When you go to a comedy club, you know what you&rsquo;re there for. But what happens when comedy shows up somewhere else?&nbsp;
Meredith Dietz describes doing stand-up in a New York City office where employees were told not to laugh, and on a Staten Island Ferry where no one could escape the ride.&nbsp;
Years after his own incarceration, Ali Siddiq returns to jail to speak with people inside.&nbsp;
And Pauline Schantzer, aka Polly Wolly, brings suggestive parody songs, dance moves, and deeply silly comedy into nursing homes.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Suggested episodes:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2023-02-02/why-the-world-needs-comedians-with-disabilities">Why the world needs comedians with disabilities</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2023-08-18/the-meteoric-rise-of-comedian-zarna-garg">The meteoric rise of comedian Zarna Garg</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2024-03-29/actors-mary-elizabeth-kelly-and-dean-edwards-on-the-art-of-impressions">Actors Mary Elizabeth Kelly and Dean Edwards on the art of impressions&nbsp;</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-04-25/why-the-warm-up-comic-is-the-most-underrated-job-in-show-biz">Why the warm-up comic is the most underrated job in show biz&nbsp;</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-11-21/badass-elders-women-in-comedy-law-and-extreme-body-art">D&rsquo;yan Forest is a 91-year-old Guinness World Record holder for oldest female comedian&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Pauline Schantzer, aka <a href="https://pollywollycomedian.com/">Polly Wolly</a>: Comedian and performer who brings musical comedy into nursing homes and senior-care spaces<a href="https://www.meredithdietz.com/"></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.meredithdietz.com/">Meredith Dietz</a>: Writer and stand-up comedian who has performed in comedy clubs, offices, and on the Staten Island Ferry</li>
<li><a href="https://alisiddiq.com/">Ali Siddiq</a>: Comedian, writer, and actor whose work often draws from his own experience of incarceration. He filmed It&rsquo;s Bigger Than These Bars inside Bell County Jail in 2017, and his 2026 special From Inside is a serious conversation recorded inside a detention center&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

No stage? No problem! Stand-up comedy in offices, ferries, prisons, and nursing homes

Some people savor every bite. Others eat 30 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Welcome to the world of competitive eating!

Visit Lake Compounce for a Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest qualifier, where everyone is trying to prove they’re top dog.

Then Crazy Legs Conti and Katina DeJarnett - aka Katina Eats Kilos - talk about what it takes to train, compete, recover, and keep chewing when your body is begging you to meat it halfway.

It’s a lot to digest.

 

Suggested episodes:


The Guts & Glory Of Getting Into The Guinness Book Of World Records


Edible oracles: Fortune-telling with cheese, onions, and tea leaves


Welcome to the Punderdome! We're entering NYC's punniest pun competition

 

GUESTS: 


Sam Barclay: Emcee and host with Major League Eating, where he helps turn competitive eating contests into full-on sporting spectacles


Crazy Legs Conti: Longtime Major League Eating competitor, writer, filmmaker, and the subject of the documentary, “Crazy Legs Conti: Zen and the Art of Competitive Eating“


Semora Kludy: Known through her food-challenge page, Semora’s Competitive Bites, she is a Michigan-based competitive eater and food challenger


Max Stanford: aka Max vs Food, is a London-based competitive eater, food-content creator, and one of Major League Eating’s top-ranked competitors


Katina DeJarnett: aka Katina Eats Kilos, is a professional eater, YouTuber, and former bodybuilder. She has millions of followers across social media watching her tackle giant meals around the world

Some people savor every bite. Others eat 30 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Welcome to the world of competitive eating!
Visit Lake Compounce for a Nathan&rsquo;s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest qualifier, where everyone is trying to prove they&rsquo;re top dog.
Then Crazy Legs Conti and Katina DeJarnett - aka Katina Eats Kilos - talk about what it takes to train, compete, recover, and keep chewing when your body is begging you to meat it halfway.
It&rsquo;s a lot to digest.
&nbsp;
Suggested episodes:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2021-08-20/the-guts-glory-of-getting-into-the-guinness-book-of-world-records">The Guts &amp; Glory Of Getting Into The Guinness Book Of World Records</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-09-12/edible-oracles-fortune-telling-with-cheese-onions-and-tea-leaves">Edible oracles: Fortune-telling with cheese, onions, and tea leaves</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2023-09-22/welcome-to-the-punderdome-were-entering-nycs-punniest-pun-competition">Welcome to the Punderdome! We're entering NYC's punniest pun competition</a>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>
Sam Barclay: Emcee and host with <a href="https://majorleagueeating.com/">Major League Eating</a>, where he helps turn competitive eating contests into full-on sporting spectacles
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://crazylegsconti.com/">Crazy Legs Conti</a>: Longtime Major League Eating competitor, writer, filmmaker, and the subject of the documentary, &ldquo;Crazy Legs Conti: Zen and the Art of Competitive Eating&ldquo;
</li>
<li>
Semora Kludy: Known through her food-challenge page, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Semoras-Competitive-Bites-61573924144958/">Semora&rsquo;s Competitive Bites</a>, she is a Michigan-based competitive eater and food challenger
</li>
<li>
Max Stanford: aka <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/MaxvsFood">Max vs Food</a>, is a London-based competitive eater, food-content creator, and one of Major League Eating&rsquo;s top-ranked competitors
</li>
<li>
Katina DeJarnett: aka <a href="https://www.youtube.com/katinaeatskilos">Katina Eats Kilos</a>, is a professional eater, YouTuber, and former bodybuilder. She has millions of followers across social media watching her tackle giant meals around the world
</li>
</ul>

The minds, hearts (and stomachs) of competitive eaters

Stephanie Salvilla so deeply loved - still loves - her baby boy, Gannon.

In July 2009, after a week of disrupted routines and sleepless nights, her brain went on autopilot. She dropped off her older child, drove to work, and unknowingly left 5-month-old Gannon in the car. He died.

In this deeply difficult and important conversation, Stephanie talks about grief, shame, public judgment, forgiveness, and why she now shares her story.

We also hear from Amber Rollins, executive director of Kids and Car Safety, about why these tragedies happen and the simple habits every caregiver can use to help keep children safe.

 

Resources:


Kids and Car Safety


Fatal Distraction: Forgetting a Child in the Backseat of a Car Is a Horrifying Mistake. Is It a Crime? by Gene Weingarten

 

Suggested episode:


Finding purpose in life after accidentally killing someone

 

GUESTS: 


Amber Rollins: Executive director of Kids and Car Safety, a national nonprofit focused on preventing child injuries and deaths in and around vehicles. She has worked with the organization for 21 years and helps lead its data, family support, and safety advocacy work 


Stephanie Salvilla: A mother whose 5-month-old son, Gannon, died in a hot car in 2009 after a change in the family’s daycare drop-off routine. She now shares her story to help prevent other families from living through the same tragedy 

Stephanie Salvilla so deeply loved - still loves - her baby boy, Gannon.
In July 2009, after a week of disrupted routines and sleepless nights, her brain went on autopilot. She dropped off her older child, drove to work, and unknowingly left 5-month-old Gannon in the car. He died.
In this deeply difficult and important conversation, Stephanie talks about grief, shame, public judgment, forgiveness, and why she now shares her story.
We also hear from Amber Rollins, executive director of Kids and Car Safety, about why these tragedies happen and the simple habits every caregiver can use to help keep children safe.
&nbsp;
Resources:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.kidsandcars.org/">Kids and Car Safety</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/fatal-distraction-forgetting-a-child-in-thebackseat-of-a-car-is-a-horrifying-mistake-is-it-a-crime/2014/06/16/8ae0fe3a-f580-11e3-a3a5-42be35962a52_story.html">Fatal Distraction: Forgetting a Child in the Backseat of a Car Is a Horrifying Mistake. Is It a Crime? by Gene Weingarten</a>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Suggested episode:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2021-12-09/finding-purpose-in-life-after-accidentally-killing-someone">Finding purpose in life after accidentally killing someone</a>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>
Amber Rollins: Executive director of <a href="https://www.kidsandcars.org/">Kids and Car Safety</a>, a national nonprofit focused on preventing child injuries and deaths in and around vehicles. She has worked with the organization for 21 years and helps lead its data, family support, and safety advocacy work&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Stephanie Salvilla: A mother whose 5-month-old son, Gannon, died in a hot car in 2009 after a change in the family&rsquo;s daycare drop-off routine. She now shares her story to help prevent other families from living through the same tragedy&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>

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

Audacious with Chion Wolf

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