The Storied Way Perspective featuring Shruti Pushkarna, Communications Consultant & Disability Inclusion Advocate In this episode, Rituparna Ghosh engages in a deep conversation with Shruti Pushkarna, exploring her journey from journalism to becoming a disability advocate. They discuss the evolution of media representation of disability, the importance of storytelling in fostering inclusion, and the impact of films and children's literature on societal perceptions. Shruti shares insights on entrepreneurship within the disability community and emphasizes the collective responsibility of society to advocate for and include persons with disabilities. “The onus of storytelling lies on each one of us”, she says. The conversation highlights the need for self-advocacy and the role of storytelling in changing narratives around disability. Rituparna and Shruti share ample anecdotes and stories from their careers, bridging the role of storytelling in creating an inclusive world. Takeaways The journey from journalism to disability advocacy is transformative. Media representation of disability has evolved but still needs improvement. Storytelling is a powerful tool for inclusion and awareness. Children's literature plays a crucial role in shaping perceptions of disability. Entrepreneurship can empower persons with disabilities and create sustainable livelihoods. Self-advocacy is essential for persons with disabilities to share their stories. Inclusion requires collective responsibility from all members of society. Films can significantly impact societal views on disability. Awareness and education are key to breaking down barriers. The importance of normalizing disability narratives in everyday conversations. Connect with Shruti Pushkarna | LinkedIn Follow her Column Connect with Rituparna | ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ Learn More about The Storied Way Visit ⁠⁠⁠www.yourstorybag.com⁠⁠⁠ Write to us at ⁠⁠⁠podcast@yourstorybag.com⁠⁠ Watch ⁠⁠⁠⁠Season 1 of The Storied Way Perspective on YouTube