We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michael Morris. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michael below.

Michael, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

Dory has always had an underlying feeling she had a purpose – to help people. She originally thought it was through working in the medical field, but as time went by and the country’s administration changed, her ideas began to shift. She did pursue her doctorate degree, but not in medicine.

Mike, however, always had a passion for voiceover and radio work. He previously co-owned an internet radio station, producing and hosting several different shows (some with Dory) ranging from the paranormal to music and entertainment. Unfortunately, that network was taken over by different people and it left us wanting to do something more. But when we tried the ideas weren’t drawing in the audience.

In the years since, Dory became permanently disabled with CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) from too many injuries to her ankle. It began in her left leg as throbbing, pins and needles, and heaviness. It has slowly began to effect her right leg as well resulting her being an ambulatory wheelchair user. With this injury and the administration changing laws and people’s rights, she started her search for “her” people among both communities.

She found them on Instagram when she joined the disabled and chronically ill community. She began to feel something was right that she had not felt for a long time. She didn’t feel so alone anymore. Shortly after that, we were in the car and talking about wanting to do a podcast or something in radio. That is when the idea of the Othering Podcast came about. Mike didn’t believe we would get enough guests, so Dory asked a few of her new found friends if they would be interested and the feedback was incredible. Since then, we have booked more guests than we ever could have dreamed.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

In the current political climate, the Othering Podcast provides a voice to those in danger. It advocates for the marginalized communities, focusing on the disabled and LGBTQIA+. The podcast provides a platform for the guests to share their story and speak up for their needs and rights. Hosts Mike and Dory invite a guest on the show each week to have a conversation, like sitting down for coffee together. In this laid back environment, they strive to provide a safe, easy to relax space so the guest feels comfortable to speak freely.

We started this podcast because we want to help people, to make a difference. It hurts knowing how many people are affected so greatly by the potential changes put into effect by the government. We can’t march and hate making calls to the reps, so we decided we needed to speak out and provide a platform for others to do the same.

We had our doubts when we were coming up with the podcast. Past podcast attempts had failed quickly and we didn’t know if this one would stick. The reaction, feedback, and support we have received since has been tremendous! It makes us extremely proud and happy to know we are making a difference. It warms our hearts knowing people want to talk to us – feel safe talking to us.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The goal driving the Othering Podcast is to help those in danger from today’s political administration. Knowing what could happen to the marginalized, is painful and we wanted a space where we could help. Since we could not help in some of the other possible ways, speaking up became an excellent option. And in the process we are providing others that chance to speak up as well.

How’d you meet your business partner?

We are married and how we met is unrelated to the podcast business but a great story anyway.

In 1998, Mike was living in Cincinnati, Ohio and Dory lived central New Jersey. Mike was online talking to his brother (who was at college) on AOL instant messenger. Meanwhile, Dory was at her college dorm with some friends talking to Mike’s brother via AOL IM as well. So Mike’s brother asked Mike to ask them what color underwear they were wearing. Figuring he would never talk to them again, Mike messaged these strangers the question and, to his surprise, got an answer. Dory found the question very funny and somewhat endearing and continued to talk to Mike for a while on AOL IM. This continued nightly and turned into phone calls. And eventually turned into an in person, weekend visit.

Fast forward a few months, Mike was in college in Kentucky. Since Dory had come to visit Mike in Ohio, she told him, “You need to come meet my family now.” Not having full control over his money at the time, he explained it could not happen. And his parents would not allow it. So to make it happen, Dory offered to buy the plane tickets and Mike’s college roommate offered to drop off and pick him up from the airport. So Mike left for New Jersey on a Friday in September of 1999. They had a great weekend and then it was time to go home on Sunday. They overslept.

They got a raincheck at the airport for the next day, went back to Dory’s dorm room, and woke up “too late” again. They drove out to the airport again and got another raincheck. “This is the final raincheck. If you miss the flight again you will not be refunded.” So we needed to return the next day. Mike’s roommate knew what was happening, waiting to pick him up.

The next day, we got to the airport over two hours early. Neither one of us were happy it needed to end. We were sitting in the car in the airport parking lot, bags packed, and Mike looks at Dory, “I don’t wanna go.”

Dory replies, “I don’t want you to either.”

So he didn’t. After a few phone calls to make sure it could work, he decided to stay. His parents were unaware of him being in New Jersey, so in the airport parking lot, he called them, “I am in New Jersey, and I’m not coming home.” Needless to say, that was not a fun conversation.

We got married in May of 2000 by a justice of the peace. And this year celebrated our 25th anniversary.

Contact Info:

• Website: Otheringpodcast.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/otheringpodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/otheringpodcast
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@otheringpodcast
• Other: Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/6vxwu2ERisN2t6y9BtQT1C?si=69965e90262d4c8c
  Listen on Podbean – https://www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-shacf-13a4bbc