Disability representation in music

Disability representation in music

Author: Carolyn Kiel July 27, 2026 Duration: 18:45

Torina Gedler is a musician who is also known as DEĀ EX MACHINĀ, which means "Goddess from the machine" in Latin. With their lush synth-pop sound, DEĀ EX MACHINĀ promotes harmony and inclusion in society through authentic Disability representation in music. 

DEĀ EX MACHINĀ advocates for the arts, LGBTQIA+ rights and Environmental and Disability Justice. Their debut EP, APO/THECARY, comes out on July 29, 2026.

During this episode, DEĀ EX MACHINĀ discusses:

  • Their work as a musician before and after being disabled by a brain injury
  • Why it's important to have disability representation in music
  • The main themes of their debut EP
  • How joining RAMPD (Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities) influenced their work as a musician
  • Their EP release party on July 29 in Des Moines, Iowa

Learn more about DEĀ EX MACHINĀ at www.DeaExMachina.music and listen to their music on Subvert, Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp.

Learn more about Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities (RAMPD) at RAMPD.org.

Listen to other Beyond 6 Seconds episodes with neurodivergent musicians:

Support or sponsor this podcast: BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=IldZ1PQYP4E

Read the episode transcript: carolynkiel.com/podcast/dea-ex-machina

Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player: pod.link/1336740192

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes: mailchi.mp/f9f6e8356138/insider 

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*


Hosted by Carolyn Kiel, Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people moves past the snap judgments that so often define how neurodivergent people are perceived. Each conversation here is an invitation to listen deeply, exploring the nuanced realities of entrepreneurs, artists, advocates, and other neurodivergent individuals as they share their own experiences in their own words. You’ll hear personal accounts that challenge stereotypes, not through abstract arguments, but through the vivid details of lived experience-the unique pathways to creativity, the challenges navigated in work and relationships, and the personal definitions of success and well-being. This podcast creates a space where identity is explored with authenticity, highlighting the strengths and perspectives that arise from thinking differently. Tuning in means connecting with stories that are as diverse and dynamic as the neurodivergent community itself, offering genuine insight into mental health, societal norms, and the richness of human cognition. Carolyn guides these discussions with a focus on depth and connection, ensuring every episode goes far beneath the surface to celebrate the vibrance of neurodiversity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
Podcast Episodes
Down syndrome advocacy – Matthew Schwab Speaks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:37
Matthew Schwab is a 27-year-old North Carolina native with Down syndrome who has his own public speaking business, Matthew Schwab Speaks. In 2019, he gave a TEDx talk about the importance of employing people with intelle…
Autism Inclusion in the Christian Church – with Sunita Theiss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:01
CW: Eating disorder, death of a parent. Sunita Theiss is an autistic, ADHD and PDA* parent, writer, and advocate. A second-generation Indian American, she has a rich background in communications, marketing, and storytell…
Tourette syndrome community and research - with Dr. Daniel P. Jones [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:44
Dr. Daniel P. Jones is a Creative Practitioner, Disability Scholar, and Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Sheffield in the UK. Daniel specializes in inclusive research methodologies, focusing on the em…
Dyslexia advocacy in Nigeria – with Oladoyin Idowu [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:59
Content warning: This episode mentions physical and verbal abuse in school, suicidal ideation and a suicide attempt, and drug use. Oladoyin Idowu is a pioneering dyslexia advocate and mental health professional dedicated…
Memoirs of a Neurodivergent Latina – with Lya Batlle-Rafferty [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:47
Lya Batlle-Rafferty, an MIT graduate with a degree in Cognitive Science, has had a career focused mostly on technology. She has often been a trailblazer as the only woman in a large company performing that type of work.…
Trans and ADHD inclusion – with Trystan Reese [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:20
Trystan Reese is an award-winning author and facilitator dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with nearly two decades of experience in the trans community. He also has ADHD and identifies as neurodivergent. Try…
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) – with Jessica Birch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:01
Jessica Birch is a national advocate and speaker living on the South East Coast of Australia. Since her late diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) at the age of 33, she has turned her attention to awareness…