Hello, Friends! 🌻 My online book talk with author + disability activist @emilyladau.bsky.social is THIS SUNDAY (August 9) at 2pm Central! We'll be discussing Disability Culture & my new book, IT WASN'T MEANT TO BE PERFECT! FREE EVENT, live on Zoom! Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/it-wasnt-m...

This is the July 2026 episode of Disability Conversations: A Monthly Audio Series. Gaelynn Lea was interviewed for this episode. To listen to the interview, visit Nothing About Us Without Us on Substack. disabilitycommunityfordemocracy.substack.com/p/disability... #Disability #DisabilitySky

Disability Conversations: July 2026

A conversation with Gaelynn Lea about the state of the disability justice movement in the United States and about her new book "It Wasn't Meant to Be Perfect."

disabilitycommunityfordemocracy.substack.com

I got to interview these brilliant artists about 3 songs that shaped them ✨ Gonna highlight one every few weeks. Dig in! www.sweetfreezemusic.com/radio-show

"The flower cannot be by herself alone. The flower has to inter-be with the sunshine, the cloud and everything in the cosmos. If we understand being in terms of inter-being, then we are much closer to the truth." -Thich Nhat Hanh

News: Gaelynn Lea announces dates for a tour celebrating publication of her memoir and her soundtrack to Broadway production of Macbeth regenmag.com/news/news-ga...

News: Gaelynn Lea announces dates for a tour celebrating publication of her memoir and her soundtrack to Broadway production of Macbeth

Gaelynn Lea has announced tour dates in support of her debut memoir, It Wasn’t Meant to Be Perfect, as well as her Music From Macbeth album from 2025. The tour will run from August 18 to November 15, ...

regenmag.com

DULUTH YOU SHOULD GO to this AWESOME event at @zeitgeistduluth.bsky.social! If you haven't seen Crip Camp yet, or if you just wanna party for Disability Pride Month + 36th Anniversary of the ADA, this is the place to hang in Duluth this weekend!!! 🎉♿🌈❤️ Tix: tickets.zeitgeistarts.com/websales/pag...

EEEEK and SQUEEEE!!! 🥳 I just discovered that my Substack is currently ranking #98 in Music! Thank you to everyone who subscribes and who has shared my newsletter… Top 100 feels pretty epic, indeed! 🥰 Share it with a friend if you care about Disability Culture + creativity: gaelynnlea.substack.com

Live on Zoom! Join Gaelynn Lea and @emilyladau.bsky.social for a spirited discussion of Gaelynn's new memoir, It Wasn't Meant to Be Perfect! Followed by an audience Q&A. Need ASL? Email press@gaelynnlea.com by July 24, 2026. To get the link, join the mailing list here: gaelynnlea.substack.com

I am excited and honored to announce that I am one of the 2026-2027 @knightfoundation.org Fund Awardees! 😁 I will be doing an event at the Ordway Center this fall with fellow disabled artists Kevin Kling and Gabriel Rodreick... More details coming very soon: www.redlakenationnews.com/story/2026/0...

Thank you to Rochelle Smith for reviewing my new book on the River Boise! “It Wasn’t Meant To Be Perfect is an inspiring book. Gaelynn Lea addresses fears and challenges like a warrior, and encourages you to do the same.” —Rochelle’s Session Chatter on 94.9 The River Read here: riverboise.com

Hello! 😁 I am VERY pumped to announce my new endeavor: Creative Living Coaching! This an online platform for disabled creatives and other artists who have felt sidelined by mainstream creative culture. Join our first cohort: Seed to Sprout starts August 1st! Info here: creativelivingcoaching.mn.co

Hello, Friends! 👋 I just sent a new Substack post! I wrote about my recent lull in energy after the book launch, and I also pondered about how focusing on what we want to *create* can help shift culture toward compassion and shared resources. Read it here: gaelynnlea.substack.com/p/as-the-wor...

Post 48: As the World Turns: The Second Half of the Year 🛞

On gaining momentum after an energy pothole - and on getting excited for my next creative project! What do YOU want to manifest in the last half of the year?

gaelynnlea.substack.com

This week on Ask a Bookseller: Eric Plumb of Amazing Alonzo Bookstore in Duluth recommends the memoir "It Wasn't Meant to Be Perfect" by fellow Duluthian Gaelynn Lea. If you can, Plumb says, listen to the audiobook, which incorporates some of her music interspersed with her story.

Ask a Bookseller: ‘It Wasn't Meant to Be Perfect’ by Gaelynn Lea

The memoir "It Wasn't Meant to Be Perfect" was written by Duluth author Gaelynn Lea.

mprnews.org

FARM is so excited to present Gaelynn Lea as the 2026 FARM Gathering + Presenter Summit's Keynote speaker. In this TEDx Talk, Gaelynn "recounts the epiphany that empowered her to pursue ... a musical career on her own terms." #folkmusic #folkalliance https://youtu.be/akGYugciSVw

Disability Thinking Weekday - Friday, July 3, 2026 - Friday Video Share: “Post 47: PLEASE WATCH + SHARE: Important Disability Policy Alert ⚖️” #Disability #Disabled disability-thinking-weekday.ghost.io/7-3-26-frida...

7/3/26 - Friday Video Share: "Post 47: PLEASE WATCH + SHARE: Important Disability Policy Alert ⚖️"

Post 47: PLEASE WATCH + SHARE: Important Disability Policy Alert ⚖️ Creative Living for Every Body with Gaelynn Lea  - June 26, 2026 Post 47: PLEASE WATCH + SHARE: Important Disability Policy Alert ⚖...

disability-thinking-weekday.ghost.io

Today: We're all about doing Duluth like a local. Find out why the city is becoming an arts "mecca," and make room in your schedule for the smelt parade and music festivals. Plus, the incomparable @gaelynnlea.bsky.social talks about her new memoir. twincities.citycast.fm/podcasts/don...

Don't Sleep On Duluth's Art Scene. Plus, Gaelynn Lea On Her New Memoir - City Cast Twin Cities

What makes Duluth punch so far above its weight in music and arts? Today we head north with Kristi Olson, publisher of the biweekly print zine On t...

twincities.citycast.fm

Hello, Friends! 👋 I just sent a new Substack post! I wrote about my recent lull in energy after the book launch, and I also pondered about how focusing on what we want to *create* can help shift culture toward compassion and shared resources. Read it here: gaelynnlea.substack.com/p/as-the-wor...

Post 48: As the World Turns: The Second Half of the Year 🛞

On gaining momentum after an energy pothole - and on getting excited for my next creative project! What do YOU want to manifest in the last half of the year?

gaelynnlea.substack.com

I was a guest on That Show With That Midwestern Mom with the fabulous Amber Estenson! It was so much fun… They interviewed me about music, my new memoir, 😂 Learn more and watch the show here: www.startribune.com/that-show-wi... 📸 P.S. Photo by Elizabeth Flores of The Minnesota Star Tribune.

Happy Summer, Friends! Not sure what to read while relaxing? @mprnews.org has got you covered with their Summer List! I was excited that my new memoir, IT WASN’T MEANT TO BE PERFECT, made it onto the list TWICE! Check out their full list of books & get a copy of my memoir here: linktr.ee/gaelynnlea

Hello, Friends! 🌈 Join Calling Up Justice, One Free Community, and Catalyst Consulting for Accessible Virtual Pride this weekend on July 4th-5th, 2026! It will be a beautiful celebration of diversity, inclusivity, and love, uniting the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. Sign-up here: bit.ly/avp2026

Accessible Virtual Pride 2026 - Calling Up Justice!

Join us for our Fourth Annual Accessible Virtual Pride produced with and for our disabled community and our LGBTQIA2s+ community, with allies welcome.

bit.ly

Happy July, Friends! Disability Pride Month is here, and wanna start it out by sharing a new song by the Des Moines-based disabled, neurodivergent, queer and AWESOME artist @dea-x-machina.bsky.social... Enjoy GAME/BOY! 💖🎶🎮🎶💖 Listen here: deaexmachina.bandcamp.com/track/game-boy

GAME/BOY, by DEĀ EX MACHINĀ

track by DEĀ EX MACHINĀ

deaexmachina.bandcamp.com

Two humans I really adore are featured in the latest episode of Access For All on Pasadena Media - check out the beautiful conversation between @andreajenningstv.bsky.social and Danelle Perez – I love seeing more disability representation in the media! Watch it here: youtu.be/c6vUH_1xj8s

Michigan Friends! I’m doing an event for Disability Pride Month on July 18th with disAbility Connections in Jackson, Michigan! ❤️♿️❤️ There will be a book talk and live performance (via Zoom) by Yours Truly. Come celebrate with the disability community! Details here: violinscratches.com/shows

Hello, Friends! I recorded this Disability Rights update as a video because I was too mad to write an essay, but I shared the transcript on my Substack, too! Please share - disabled people need allies to speak up at the moment!!! ❤️♿❤️ Read the transcript: gaelynnlea.substack.com/p/please-wat...

Post 47: PLEASE WATCH: Important Disability Policy Alert ⚖️

I talk about the Olmstead memo (and give you links to follow up) and why disabled people need you to care about disability rights. Also a fun video: I was on That Show with That Midwestern Mom!

gaelynnlea.substack.com

Summer is officially here in Duluth, MN! 🌞⛵🌊 Lots of book talks coming up towards the end of the summer! See the full schedule of events & get a copy of my book here: violinscratches.com

I absolutely loved being a guest on the delightful Keris Jän Myrick’s Unapologetically Black Unicorns Podcast. I shared my journey as a musician and, now, as an author of the memoir “It Wasn't Meant to Be Perfect.” Listen here: linktr.ee/UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns

YIPEE!!! 😁 The first full episode of That Show With That Midwestern Mom is now live! I am so glad I could be her musical guest! 🎉 I love all the joy and the caring community that Amber is creating online and now in real life. Best of luck with the whole series! ❣️ Watch it here: youtu.be/1zcfTZxGJk0

That Midwestern Mom’s First Live Audience Show with Chloe Sexton & Gaelynn Lea

YouTube video by That Show With That Midwestern Mom

youtu.be

Happy Father's Day to my amazing Dad, whose humor, wisdom, curiosity, hard work, love of learning, dedication, and steadfast care are foundational to our family. My siblings and I are so grateful to have him in our lives! He is also a wonderful grandfather to grandkids, and one lucky grand-bun. 😁💖🐇

I always have a blast cheering on the racers at Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, but this year I couldn't resist jumping into the fray! 😁🎉 Congrats to my pals Leah, Robin & Anna on their successful Half-Marathon runs!! 💖

Thanks to Eric Plumb at Amazing Alonzo Bookstore for featuring my memoir on MPR News' Ask a Bookseller! Grateful for the mention of the audiobook. Thank you to all the amazing Minnesota bookstores supporting my book! 📚❤️ Read/listen: www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0... Order: violinscratches.com/book