In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron welcomes artist, activist, and art therapist Zian Chavez, producer of the award-winning documentary We Are the Most Beautiful People: Adults with Disabilities. Zian shares their journey as a queer, non-binary, neurodiverse, Spanish, Indigenous, New Mexican living with multiple sclerosis, and how lived experience fueled their global movement for disability equity and dignity. Together, Aaron and Zian explore redefining beauty, dismantling systemic barriers, and the power of empathy in everyday inclusion. This conversation is both inspiring and grounding—a call to move from inclusion to liberation for people with disabilities worldwide.

Key Takeaways:

Redefining Beauty – Zian’s film reframes beauty through the lived experiences of adults with disabilities, making it an act of affirmation and resistance.

Inclusion vs. Liberation – Inclusion isn’t enough; Zian urges society to move toward full liberation, where everyone already belongs.

Global Movement – The documentary connects stories across continents, proving disability inclusion is a universal human issue.

Everyday Empathy – Simple acts like eye contact or saying hello can begin dismantling fear and stigma around disability.

Indigenous Wisdom – Many Indigenous cultures naturally include all members—offering models for true belonging that modern societies can learn from.

Zian Chavez’s definition of inclusion:

Inclusion must be intentionally designed and maintained through specific actions, policies and practices. We need to remove systemic barriers.

Zian Chavez’s Bio:

Zian (she/they) is a Spanish, Indigenous, New Mexican, queer, non-binary, neurodiverse, artist, activist, Art Therapist and film producer. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1993. They also live with anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and a cognitive and speech impairment. They also live unapologetically with an exorbitant abundance of love and respect for all humans. She’s lived in California, New Mexico, Guam, Hawaii, Spain, England and Portland, Oregon. They went to grad school at southwestern college in Santa Fe, New Mexico for a dual degree in Art Therapy and counseling. After grad school she moved to Portland, Oregon and started working with different nonprofits working with adults with disabilities. For the past 7 years, Zian has been an Art Therapist working with HIV positive Oregonians. They are the producer of a new disability documentary called, "We are the Most Beautiful People | Adults with Disabilities".

Connect with Zian Chavez:

Website: https://wearethemostbeautifulpeople.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearethemostbeautifulpeople

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WATMBP/?_rdr

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zianchavezwatmbpllc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wearethemostbeautifulpeople

SPAM© Count:

Host:

Yes

Current Guest:

No

Cumulative Guest Stats:

Yes - 65

No - 88

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