In episode 2 of Spontaneous Mutation, Halley welcomes Social Psychologist Dr. Kathleen Bogart. Halley opens the episode sharing her experiences leading up to her neurofibromatosis diagnosis, and what is felt like to be called a “medical anomaly” by doctors. This, as well as an increasingly tumultuous home life, left her feeling like a burden. She talks about her early teen years and how poetry and female-fronted rock bands gave her a space to channel her confusion and anger.

Dr. Bogart shares her own experiences with feeling like an anomaly, what it was like to find the Moebius Syndrome community, and then the larger facial difference community. She educates us on the 3 most common models of disability and discusses her research in the field of rare disease.

The song for today’s episode is called: Anomaly

Dr. Kathleen Bogart bio:

Dr. Bogart is an associate professor of psychology at Oregon State University (OSU). She earned her Ph.D. in experimental social psychology from Tufts University in 2012. As a person with a rare disease, she has a passion for researching and educating about the psychosocial impacts of rare diseases, especially the effects of social support and stigma. Dr. Bogart is the recipient of numerous awards and honors and her work has been featured in multiple publications including the Atlantic and the New York Times. She also maintains a blog for Psychology Today called “Disability is Diversity” and one of my favorite articles from that blog is called “ The Elephant in the Room, explaining facial difference.” It’s a great introduction to the world and experience of living with a facial difference.

Keep up with Dr. Bogart:

Kathleen’s Disability is Diversity blog

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/disability-is-diversity/202301/the-elephant-in-the-room-explaining-facial-difference

Ted Talk:

https://www.ted.com/talks/kathleen_bogart_the_psychology_of_ableism_jan_2022?subtitle=en

Oregon State Faculty website:

https://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/directory/kathleen-bogart

Keep up with Halley and the Spontaneous Mutation Podcast:

• spontaneousmutationpodcast.com
• instagram.com/spontaneousmutationpodcast
• youtube.com/@halleyelwellmusic