Speaking appearances, community events, conferences, other podcasts and webinars that push boundaries and shape a more inclusive future.

Latest Appearances

April 8, 2025

Podcast Feature: Winning Isn't Easy

On Season 5, Episode 12 of Winning Isn’t Easy, I joined attorney Nancy L. Cavey for a conversation about disability, advocacy, and navigating life in a world that isn’t always built with disabled people in mind. I shared my personal journey growing up with muscular dystrophy, and we talked about how living with a disability can often feel like a full-time job. We also explored the everyday barriers people with disabilities face — and how advocacy plays a crucial role in changing that reality. It’s a conversation about resilience, systemic challenges, and ways we can all push for a more inclusive world. Hope you’ll give it a listen!

Watch episode on YouTube | Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music | Download Episode Transcript (PDF)


April 4, 2025

Podcast Feature: The Inclusive Dad Podcast

On this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, I sat down with AAron to talk about accessibility, ableism, and the power of inclusive design. We discussed my personal experiences — from navigating inaccessible spaces to conducting accessibility audits at music festivals — and why I believe real change comes from shifting societal barriers, not individuals. We also explored how technology can empower independence and why lived experience is essential for truly accessible design. It’s a conversation about resilience, challenging stereotypes, and rethinking what "accessible" should mean for everyone. I’d love for you to check it out!

Watch episode on YouTube | Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music


March 11, 2025

Podcast Feature: One Leg Up With Alex Garrett

I had the pleasure of joining Alex Garrett on his One Leg Up Podcast to discuss my advocacy work and personal journey. As a physically disabled advocate, I’m passionate about community building and accessibility. Living with muscular dystrophy since infancy, I’ve embraced dry and dark humour to navigate life’s challenges while pushing boundaries and defying expectations.

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Person standing with crutches on a New York City street, buildings in background, text "ONE LEG UP WITH ALEX GARRETT."

January 31, 2025

Podcast Feature: Battle for Disability Rights

Recently, I had the opportunity to appear on the Lean to the Left with Bob Gatty, where I discussed my lifelong fight for disability rights and raised concerns about how political decisions—like Donald Trump’s proposed freeze on federal spending—pose serious threats to programs like Medicaid that so many in our community rely on. Advocacy isn’t just a passion for me—it’s a necessity to protect the rights and well-being of marginalized communities, especially those living with disabilities.

Read more here | Watch episode on YouTube | Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts | Download Episode Transcript (PDF)


November 3, 2024

Podcast Feature: Disability After Dark | Episode 373

It was a pleasure to sit down with my old school friend and Disability After Dark Podcast Host Andrew Gurza to talk about my experience with congenital Muscular Dystrophy, why I live in a hospital, my podcast 21st Century Disability and so much more!

Listen to the episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Image features text reading "Navigating Disabilities Under Trump's Iron Hand" in bold letters. Below the text, there is a photo of a person with a respiratory tube, wearing glasses and a plaid shirt. At the bottom, there is a caption "Muscular Dystrophy Patient Hollis Peirce." There is also a blue circle with the text "Lean to the Left."

September 9, 2024

Podcast Feature: Discussing I Am Potential (2015 Film) on the Invalid Culture Podcast

It was a pleasure to discuss the film "I Am Potential", a movie based on the true story of Patrick Henry Hughes on the Invalid Culture podcast. The movie explores the struggles and triumphs of Patrick and his family, particularly his father, who had to adjust his (beer league basketball) expectations and dreams for his son.

Our conversation discusses the film's portrayal of disability, the performances of the actors, and the film's context within the broader landscape of disability representation in media. We also discuss the film's focus on the father's involvement in a local basketball league, the family's financial struggles and wrap with a discussion about the film's depiction of a charity telethon.

Listen on Spotify: Part 1 and Part 2 or Listen on Apple Podcasts: Part 1 and Part 2


May 30, 2024 | Ottawa, Ontario

Accessibility Fair and Living Library

My producer, Sandy Barron, and I had pleasure of attending The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre’s Accessibility Fair and Living Library. At the event we discussed what accessibility means to us at Twenty-First Century Disability. We had a number of conversations with their staff about how they can improve accessibility for their patients. 

The Accessibility Fair brought together organizations by and for People with Disabilities to network and share information with clinicians, staff, and community members of The Royal. An essential part of the event featured an accessibility-themed “living library.” Living library participants shared insights and expertise about creating more accessible spaces and services that can contribute to improving the mental, physical, and substance use health of People with Disabilities.

21st Century Host Hollis Peirce, and Producer, Sandy Barron, at The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre's Accessibility Fair and Living Library.

Interested in having me attend or speak at an upcoming event?

A person smiling in a wheelchair with a tracheostomy tube, holding a film clapperboard.